| And with the demise of the Soviet Union, Iraq had pretty much lost it's "big friend". N. Korea still has Communist China parked next door... and Communist China is AWFUL big... big enough to make anyone "think twice" about getting involved. Kind of like having Andre the Giant as your buddy.
Plus, I think that Kim is about the nuttiest fruitcake out there and the powers that be in Washington are hoping he'll just implode all by himself and save them the trouble. With his track record he'd probably fire off a few nukes "just for the fun of it"... he certainly has NO conscience whatsoever.
Remember the Korean War? Soldier folks "from away" are still parked there along the DMZ and have been for a LOT LONGER time than Vietnam, Afghanistan or Iraq. Plus, N. Korea is managing to keep China separated from S. Korea (and make no mistake that the Chinese wouldn't LOVE to get their hands on the Korean peninsula and the S. Korean economy!) I remember my Grade 10 History teacher (gad, was THAT a long time ago). We asked him who were the most likely combatants in the next World War. He said "USA and Russia both against China". Well, part of the equation is pretty much taken care of already. Nobody wants to play the China card.
My take on it is... we North Americans seem to have this "idea" in our heads that everyone else secretly wants to live or be just like us. We assume that OUR culture is THE ONLY culture and we're willing to take up arms against them to help them accomplish their goals. T'aint so, folks. Just like English isn't the world's most spoken language and Christianity isn't the most populous religion. Now, I'm not in any way saying that I like what Kim is doing to his own people or to world peace. I'm simply commenting on the question "Why not N. Korea too?" I'd love to see the sum-b*tch have a stroke and die... as painfully as possible. But is it worth getting into another "endless police action" over? I don't think so. |